Thread: How do you know your hone needs lapped?

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Well, now that you have brought up the Shapton glass hones... the answer changes and for that very reason. The Shaptons will load more quickly than most hones, there just isn't any space between the grit particles for swarf due to the resin binder so you'll need to use something like a diamond lapping plate for *cleaning* well before needing to actually flatten them. I can usually tell when water no longer wets the surface evenly, but rather beads up in spots... a few strokes on the DMT and the hones are back to their quick cutting selves again. Considering the significant investment in a set of Shaptons, a DMT D8C does not add that much to the total cost.

(And quickly re-reading your last post, I see you have allowed for a DMT which is fine, just lap when the hones look dirty and aren't cutting as quickly as they used to. For me, that's about after 4 or 5 uses.

Now THAT I wasn't aware of. Thanks. I suppose cleaning them that often (a few strokes every 4 or 5 uses) with a DC8 would pretty much keep them flat as well right?

Originally Posted by Quick

Now THAT I wasn't aware of. Thanks. I suppose cleaning them that often (a few strokes every 4 or 5 uses) with a DC8 would pretty much keep them flat as well right?

Yes !!! I do my Shaptons every 10 razors but I tape every spine so I have half or less than half of the amount of swarf...

And as I have only one razor that I use tape on and I rarely hone it, six and I are about equal with my stones getting gunked up twice as fast as his! Still, I don't keep a count, I mainly go by the appearance of the hone and the water on top.

Christian

I guess I should made my every 10 razors more clear, as in whether they look to need it or not
But I do agree with the Kapt'n when they don't feel like they are cutting the same I lap them but I have found that every 10 is well within that criteria.... FOR ME YMMV of course

PS: It is also my understanding that the Shaptons swell slightly when they are new and need more lapping during that period, I did not experience that at all, did anyone else????

I lap my Shaptons (16K & 30K) before every honing session. Now, I don;t mean I grid it, and go till the lines are gone. I just refresh the surface each time with a DMT8F.

I seem to recall discussion that the polymeric resin (or some other scientific-sounding jargon) would swell with water, and not shrink uniformly after drying. This could cause high spots in the honing surface, and result in problems while honing.

I believe the swelling/shrinking/warping mostly referred to the Pro line of hones which were all resin. Shapton introduced the glass hones , partially as an attempt to reduce that problem, though to be honest I don't think it ever was a *real* problem, but rather a geeky, yes it actually exists and can be measured.... barely, issue. The other problem with the Pro hones, was the reports that they would break easily when worn to about half their thickness and again, the glass hone substrate of the new hones will allow you to use *all* the abrasive without such problems.

Personally, I follow the advice I once received in a fortune cookie which read" Never trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you." or as I would phrase it: If it works, don't fix it!

Regards

Christian